Skin revitalization (IPL Photofacial) is a nonsurgical treatment that will improve your skin’s appearance, quickly and easily. This advanced light-based technology clears undesirable brown spots, sun damage, rosacea, and vessels, revealing clearer, more radiant skin. The Palomar Icon™ Laser offers the next generation in powerful Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology to remove even the most persistent facial redness and dilated veins. It is even superior to pulsed dye laser treatment. The MAX G™ treatment works by sending a low-energy beam of light directly into the affected skin while maximizing both patient comfort and safety at all times. Facial redness, dilated veins, hemangiomas, port wine stains, dull skin tone, and fine wrinkles can all be improved with fewer, more comfortable treatment sessions!

Before and After Photos

What is IPL Photofacial?

A photofacial is a 15-minute procedure in which intense pulses of light are used to penetrate deep into the skin. These specialized pulses target brown spots, sun damage and vessels without harming the surrounding skin. The light delivered to your skin causes collagen and blood vessels below the epidermis to constrict, reducing redness and age lines. The light also stimulates more collagen to form which causes your skin to develop a more youthful, tightened appearance. The procedure involves only minimal discomfort, while the redness and swelling that sometimes occur after treatment disappears shortly (usually in the first three hours).

What areas of the body can be treated?

Face, neck, chest, and hands may be treated.

Who are the best candidates?

The best candidates are patients with untanned skin (no direct sun exposure or spray tans for last four weeks) with rosacea, facial blood vessels and capillaries, sun damaged skin, pigmented facial spots and enlarged pores. It also works best on those with lighter skin types.

What do I expect during the treatment?

Before the procedure begins, you will be given ample time to meet with the RN and physician to ask questions and be provided with information. You can opt to receive a topical numbing cream for the treatment area, which should be applied 30 minutes to one hour before the treatment. As the treatment begins, you will be given protective eyewear to protect you from the bright flashes of light. A cool gel is applied to the treatment area, both to lubricate the hand piece and to help cool the epidermis during the treatment. A melanin reader will take three readings from your skin to give the technician a more objective reading of your skin tone to ensure the safest setting. Your skin care specialist will apply brief pulses of bright light to the skin through the hand piece. The hand piece has a cooling element to it to provide more comfort during the treatment. Depending on the size of the area being treated, the procedure may take anywhere from 10-20 minutes.

During the IPL photofacial procedure, you will feel a warm sensation caused by the pulses of light. Some compare the sensation to a light snap from a rubber band. The number of pulses you receive will depend on the size of the area being treated. Following the procedure, the laser specialist may help you in icing down the treatment area to help soothe any discomfort from the procedure.

How long is recovery time?

The recovery time from an IPL skin procedure is often very short, as there is very little damage done to the skin during treatment. Depending on the skin malady you are seeking to remedy as well as your skin type, the redness that is present following the procedure may persist for a longer or shorter period of time. The side effects of IPL photofacial treatment dissipate within a few hours for many patients. For some patients, however, the redness or dark spots may take a week to fade.

The most important things to remember following IPL photofacial treatment are to avoid the sun for several days and to wear plenty of sunblock for at least two weeks.

How long does it take?

The procedure can be done in as little as 15 minutes or less, depending on the size of the treatment area.

How many treatments will I need?

Often, multiple (usually three) IPL photofacial treatments are necessary to achieve maximum results. Especially if you are seeking to remedy multiple problems – for instance, if you are seeking to improve skin texture and reduce redness – multiple treatments affecting different layers of the skin will likely be needed.

Very minor swelling, redness, and increased visibility of small capillaries. These symptoms usually begin to disappear within a few hours of treatment.

Blistering and bleeding has been reported in very rare cases, and hyper- and hypo- pigmentation (darkening and lightening of the skin) have been reported as well. Scarring has been reported, but this too is very rare.

If you are honest and thorough with your physician about your medical history, you will most likely not encounter any severe complications from photofacial treatment.

Visit patients.cynosure.com/treatment/pigmentation/for more information and before and after photos.

Precautions:

Do not go sunbathing at least 4 weeks before the IPL treatment. The lighter the skin, the more effective the treatment.

Do not go to the sauna or swimming pool 24 hours before the treatment to avoid skin irritations caused by chlorine..